Self-centering rolls



p 4, 1962 F. w. BUTSCHER 3,052,396

SELF-CENTERING ROLLS Filed March 15, 1959 2 Sheeizs-Sheei'.v 1

INVENTORJ FRANK W. BUTSCHER 1 Z by M/wnm o'r'rorney Sept. 4, 1962 F. w. BUTSCHER SELF-CENTERING ROLLS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 13, 1959 INVENTORZ FRANK w. BUTSCHER y M Ow vv mm orfornev llnited states a 523% ine Patented Sept. 4, 1962 3,052,396 SELF-CENTERLNG ROLLS Frank W. Bntscher, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Mar. 13, 1959, Ser. No. 799,209 3 Claims. (Cl. 226-192) This invention relates to self-centering rolls and more particularly to self-centering rolls of the types disclosed in Lorig Patents No. 2,593,158, dated April 15, 1952, and Patent No. 2,817,940, dated December 31, 1957. The rolls disclosed in these patents are very successful in use, but some of those in common use depend upon deflection of a flexible diaphragm for their centering action. As the result the deflection and centering action will vary because of changes in tension and speed. In one type of roll shown in Patent No. 2,593,158, where the deflection of the rim is due to the rim falling down in place of deflection in the diaphragm, the rotation of the roll is not as smooth as the other types and the rims will not rotate about the same axis at all times.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a self-centering roll in which the deflection remains constant and the rotation is about the same axis regardless of strip tension and changes in roll speed.

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in section of a self-centering roll of my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view, similar to FIGURE 1, showing a second embodiment of my invention; and

FIGURE 4 is a view taken on the line IV-IV of FIGURE 3.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, reference numeral 2 indicates a pair of coaxially opposed rotatable rims over which the strip S passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims. A radial web 4 is preferably attached to the adjacent ends of the rims 2. A bronze bushing 6 is attached to the inner end of each web 4 and surrounds a roll shaft 8 with sufficient clearance being provided to permit limited deflection of the rims 2. A radial web it? provided at the outer end of each of the rims 2 extends inwardly toward the shaft 8. A ring 12 is welded or otherwise fastened to each of the webs 10. A second ring 14 is provided within each of the rings 12. A pair of diametrically opposed radial holes 16 are provided in each of the rings 12 and are in alignment with holes 18 provided in ring 14. A pin 20 in each of the holes 16 extends into the holes 18 in the ring 14. As shown, the holes 16 are threaded and pins 20 are in the form of set screws. A locking pin 22 is preferably provided for each of the set screws 20. Radial holes 24 are provided in ring 14 at substantially 90 from the holes 18. Holes 26 are provided in the shaft 8 in alignment with the holes 24. A pin 28 in each of the holes 24 extends into the corresponding hole 26. Pins 28 are preferably the same as pins 20. Holes 30 are provided in the ring 12 in alignment with the holes 24 to permit ready assembly. A locking pin 32 is preferably provided for each of the pins 28.

The operation of the roll is essentially the same as that shown in Lorig Patent No. 2,593,158, dated April 15, 1952. However, it will be seen that the supports for the outer ends of the rims are in the form of universal couplings so as to provide universal movement of the rims 2 with respect to the shaft 8. The ring 14 can pivot with respect to the shaft 8 on the pins 23 in one direction and pivot with respect to web 10 on pins 20 in a direction therefrom.

FIGURES 3 and 4 show my invention as incorporated in a roll of the type shown in Lorig Patent No. 2,817,940, dated December 21, 1957. In this embodiment of my invention a center roll section 34 is provided between end rims 36. A radial web 38 extends inwardly from the outer end of each of the rims 36 toward shaft 46. A ring 42 is attached to each of the webs 3 8 and a second ring 44 is located within each of the rings 42. The ring 44 is pivotally supported with respect to ring 42 by means of pins 46 in essentially the same manner as ring 14 is supported with respect to ring 12. A sleeve 48 is Welded or otherwise attached to the shaft 40 within each of the rings 44. Holes 50 are provided in the sleeve 48 to receive pins 52 which are carried by the ring 44. It will be understood that the operation of the universal couplings of the two embodiments are essentially the same and that they may be used interchangeably. The purpose of providing the sleeve 48 is to avoid weakening the shaft and to permit use of standard parts.

While two embodiments of my invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed rotatable hollow cylinders over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the cylinders, said rims having outer and inner ends with the inner ends being adjacent each other, a radial web at the outer end of each of said cylinders, a shaft extending through said cylinders coaxial therewith, a universal coupling secured to the outer face of each of said radial webs and connecting the associated web to said shaft so as to permit deflection of the inner ends of said cylinders, and mean for limiting the deflection of the inner ends of said cylinders.

2. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed rotatable hollow cylinders over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the cylinders, said cylinders having outer and inner ends with the inner ends being adjacent each other, a radial web at the outer end of each of said cylinders, a shaft extending through said cylinders coaxial therewith, said web having an inner periphery spaced from said shaft, a ring secured to each of said webs on the outer face thereof adjacent its inner periphery, a second ring within each of said first rings, each of said first rings having a pair of diametrically opposed radial holes therein, a pin in each of said holes extending into said second ring, each of said second rings having a pair of diametrically opposed radial holes therein arranged at substantially 90 from the first named holes, a pin in each of said second named holes, means supporting said last named pins for movement with said shaft, the inner ends of said cylinders being free to deflect a limited amount, and means for limiting the deflection of the inner ends of said cylinders.

3. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed rotatable hollow cylinders over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the cylinders, said cylinders having outer and inner ends with the inner ends being adjacent each other, a radial web at the outer end of each of said cylinders, a shaft extending through said cylinders coaxial therewith, said web having an inner periphery spaced from said shaft, a ring secured .to each or" said Webs on the outer face thereof adjacent its inner periphery, a second ring within each of said first rings, a sleeve attached to said shaft within each of said second named rings, each of said first rings having a pair of diametrically opposed radial holes therein, a pin in each of said holes extending into said second ring, each of said second rings having a pair of diametrically opposed radial holes therein arranged at substantially 90 from the first named holes, a pin in each of said second named holes extending into said sleeve, the inner ends of said cylinders being free to deflect a limited amount, and means for limiting the deflection of the inner ends of said cylinders.

References Cites the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Nettenstrom Apr. 12, Perrault Aug. 6, Barbier July 28, Lorig Dec. 20, Lorig Feb. 21, Fabian Oct. 30', Lorig Aug. 6, Lorig Dec. 31,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Sept. 14, 

